No new gun laws needed after the mall shooting. Criminals won’t follow them.

New gun laws won’t stop mall shooters

Now that police have charged two teenagers in the shooting death at Concord Mills mall, the calls for “common sense gun laws” have begun.

But what should be “common sense” to everyone is that a criminal, who by definition does not obey existing laws, is not going to magically obey any new laws.

Punishing law-abiding gun owners for the actions of a criminal is insane. If anyone has a way to remove guns from the hands of criminals I’m sure the entire nation would like to hear it. Until then, I’ll keep “clinging to my guns and Bible.”

Mike Vee, Concord

Put nature museum at Park Road Park

Regarding “Big Discovery Place Nature expansion plan in limbo after Myers Park neighbors protest,” (Jan. 10):

The city should forgo its plan to enlarge Discovery Place Nature in Myers Park. Why encourage congestion in a residential neighborhood?

The site is too small for the ambitious enlargement. Parking is already a problem. To expand the parking lot, the land will be torn asunder and covered with “beautiful” asphalt. What about the displaced wildlife? What a legacy for a nature museum.

Build the larger museum in Park Road Park. It’s easier to get to and there’s better parking. Also, the SouthPark Association of Neighborhoods wants it there.

Augie Beasley, Charlotte

A perfect spot for the nature museum

If the residents of Myers Park don’t want Discovery Place Nature to expand in place, I have two words for the county to consider: Eastland Mall.

David Fahey, Charlotte

Use museum site for affordable housing

Why not move Discovery Place Nature to Eastway Community Park, where there is a lot of vacant land (in another cultural desert)? Then use the Freedom Park land for affordable housing.

Lucille Howard, Charlotte

I support Trump’s handling of Iran

It’s a relief to have a commander-in-chief who acknowledges and counters the threat Iran poses to our country and democratic values around the world. Iran, which denies its people basic human rights, deserves to be treated and countered like the rogue theocratic regime it is.

Also, we must not forget the threat Iran poses to Israel, the only democratic country in the Middle East. When Iran’s parliament chants “death to America,” this should be a realization for the U.S. concerning Iran’s goals and beliefs.

Gabriel Russ, Lincolnton

Trump put US in a dangerous place

Donald Trump sparked this current dangerous situation with Iran by pulling out of the Iranian nuclear agreement in 2018.

If any nation can be considered being a “bad actor,” it would be Iran. But Trump and his followers have to understand that the world works as it does, not by bullying conservative fantasies.

The assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani will inevitably lead to additional American deaths and the Trump administration has shown repeatedly that it doesn’t plan for, or even acknowledge, the possibility of negative consequences for its actions.

The United States is in a dangerous place and must take its next steps cautiously. Donald Trump isn’t a leader whom we can trust to do so.

Michael A. Clark, Charlotte

On McConnell’s impeachment plan

There have always been those who view our legal process with contempt.

A line in a popular movie captured this attitude: “Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!”

What would updated dialogue showing contempt for justice look like today? “Witnesses? We don’t need no stinkin’ witnesses!”

Alan J. Hoyle, Denver, NC

The current economic shift I see

There are two kinds of people in the world — they can be divided into “makers” and “takers.”

In the past, makers were the leaders of corporations that provided goods and services and created jobs. Takers were considered to be the working class, unemployed, union members, and the like.

The economy is now powered by people who work multiple jobs to make ends meet. They’ve become the makers.

Corporations have received enormous tax cuts while denying workers their fair share of the gains. They are now the takers.

I suggest a different division: Those who want to change the direction we are going and those who don’t.

I’m in the first group.

Charlie Muehl, Asheville